At their weekly primestock sale on Monday John Swan Ltd sold 69 clean cattle, 30 OTM cattle, 2,373 new season lambs and 1,287 ewes.

Bullocks (36) averaged 209.4p per kg and sold to 244p (+3.1p on week), heifers (31) averaged per 217p per kg and sold to 237p (n/c on week), two young bulls averaged 135p per kg and sold to 137p ( n/c on week), 25 beef type OTM cattle averaged 119.4p per kg and sold to 175p (-4.8p on the week) and five dairy type OTM cattle averaged 83.3p per kg and sold to 107p (n/c on the week).

New season lambs averaged 163.8p per kg (+0.5 on the week) and sold to £100, top price 2.03p per kg for Beltex.

Ewes averaged £53.14, and sold to £107 for Texel. Heavy ewes averaged £62.93 and light ewes sold to £59 for Blackface and averaged £34.19.

John Swan Limited held their Annual Show and Sale of Beltex Prime Lambs. The show was sponsored by Davidsons and Carrs Billington and expertly judged by Mr Robert Wilson. The Champion was awarded to Messrs Rennie, Sydenham weighing 49kgs making £99.50. Reserve from Messrs Pate, Craigsford Mains, weighing 50kg making £90.50.

A plainer show of prime cattle presented and many more are required to keep up with the ever increasing demand. Top price to 221.5p for Limousin heifers shown by A. and W.J. Taylor and Son, Dashwellgreen, purchased by Border Meats, Butchers, Lockerbie. Limousin bullocks sold to 220.5p also from Messrs Taylor, this time purchased by Mr John Little.

A plainer show of cast cows saw fleshy farm assured cows sell to a good trade and topped at 146.5p for a Luing from J.G. Murray and Son, Branxholm Braes.

Prime lambs were a smaller show, owing to the decline in the trade plus farmers harvesting and silaging the last few days. However, trade was buoyant with all weights up 10p per kilo to average 174p overall. Top price per kilo was 210p for Texels from Lanerton and to £93.50 per head for Texels from Mill View and Ormiston.

Light lambs also enjoyed the uplift in price to a top of £67.50 per head and 193p per kilo for Texels from Greenwell Meadows.

Prime ewes and rams were a smaller entry but nevertheless trade was just as dear as ever with the large company of buyers keen for supplies.